The Gem Theater

Introduction

Downtown Wichita Falls, Texas, in the mid 1940’s was a bustling metropolis for a boy of 7 just away from the farm and ranch community where he was born. My father, a cook and cowboy by trade, had just started as one of the first cooks for the Casa Manana restaurant in 1947. He moved us to an apartment on Ohio Street, right across from the Gem Theater, between 7^th and 8^th Streets. It’s here that we would stay for the next three years. The Gem Theater became a magic palace for a young mind. But it had to share that distinction with the rest of the magic that was Wichita Falls. I attended San Jacinto and Carrigan elementary schools, as well as Reagan Junior High, and belonged to the Boys Club on 6th Street. Please join, and share your stories and pictures through a Guest Blog, of early Wichita Falls - or your home town. Contact me at fadingshadows40@gmail.com or leave a comment. We could use old pictures of movie houses, drive-in theaters, and other nostalgic pictures related to our youths.

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Captain Marvel, Jr.

Captain Marvel, Jr., Trading Card #6. Yeah, another Trading Card set I wish I had.

Friday, January 22, 2016

Cort Theater

Cort Theater. Here is another old theater being renovated. I love pictures of old theaters, and glad to see another one being restored to its glory days.

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Comic Book Super Heroes

Comic Book Super Heroes: I don’t think they got any better than these. Captain Marvel, Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman. Yes, I read them all when I got the chance. Oh, there were literally hundreds of others, but poor kids had to be picky when I was young. I usually bought half price comic books at the magazine exchange in Wichita Falls when I had a dime to spare, then after reading them I swapped other kids for comic books I hadn’t read. We couldn’t afford to be collectors back then.

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Tom's Christmas Presents

Tom’s Christmas Present: Okay, my books came in. Top row is THE BLACK BAT OMNIBUS V#3, JEFFERY WREN V #1, and THE MASKED RIDER V #2, from ALTUS PRESS, then THE PURPLE EYE from Ed Hulse’s publishing house, and next is a stack of RAILROAD STORIES ginger bought from ALTUS PRESS to go with the others from Matt. Bottom Row is THE SHADOW from SANTUM BOOKS, G-8 and G-MEN from ADVENTURE HOUSE, and next is THE PHANTOM DETECTIVE from SANCTUM BOOKS, and last is THE PHANTOM DETECTIVE from ADVENTURE HOUSE. Hey, a nice haul this year.

Monday, December 14, 2015

Captain Marvel

Captain Marvel was my second favorite of the comic book super heroes, following closely after Batman. Unfortunately, he was forced out the comics by DC. Later, DC brought him back under their own banner, however.

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sunday, November 15, 2015

WAYSIDE TALES

WAYSIDE TALES, 1921: With Christmas coming up soon, I thought this pulp cover would be nice to post for the group. Very little happening on the Blogs lately, so if I don’t post again until after the holidays, please have a wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas.